So much so,the Kangaroos strike weapon believed his teammate would be quick to heap pressure on incumbent Queensland Maroons Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes.
with veteran Corey Oates firming to reclaim the flank outside him.
The 21-year-old was quick to announce himself as one of the game’s most dangerous flyers,earning four straight State of Origin caps before a hip injury cost him his place to Xavier Coates for games II and III last season.
But Staggs said Cobbo’s ability to create something out of nothing meant that getting him the ball as frequently as possible would be crucial - pointing to his individual chip-and-chase try in the dying stages of Brisbane’s Round 18 win over the Dolphins as an example.
And he declared that between himself and the livewire Cherbourg product,they had the makings of the NRL’s most elite centre pairing.
“With Selwyn I think he’s one of those players where you could put him anywhere,and he’ll do a good job for you. He’s been training the well out there in the centres,and he’s doing everything that we’ve asked of him,” Staggs said.
“He’s still young himself,and he’s played wing. It’s not just going to happen for you moving from wing to centre – it’s a different position and he’s asking questions.
“I think he can do a good job for us there,and hopefully,he can (get) back to Origin in the centres.
“You give him the ball,and he’ll do something,it doesn’t matter what position he is in ... you know you get Selwyn the ball and there’s always going to be something that he can make out of nothing.
“Not many people can do what he can do,so if you give Selwyn a bit of space he will take it.”
The sight of Jesse Arthars running at Broncos training on Wednesday has allayed fears of a long-term stint on the sideline for the grand finalist,who sustained a sprained ankle three weeks ago.
However,whether he is fit enough to board the plane to Las Vegas for Brisbane’s March 3 battle with the Sydney Roosters to launch the season remains unclear.
Rookie prospect Deine Mariner has been training full time with the starting side in Arthars’ absence,impressing Staggs inside him.
Mariner demonstrated why he has been lauded as one of the Broncos’ best outside-back prospects since Steve Renouf in four appearances last year - scoring five tries and setting up three,while running for four line breaks and 134 metres a game.
But so compelling was Arthars’ form last year,he forced club champion Oates from the club’s finals line-up - culminating in one of his finest outings in the losing grand final cause (171 running metres,four tackle busts).
Staggs confirmed Arthars was recovering well,but Mariner’s form would make it a two-way shootout for the job.
“He (Mariner) is very quick,so if you just give him the ball in space he’s gone. He’s taken that opportunity now that Kevvie (Walters) has given him,he’s taken it with both hands,and he wants that to be his position,” Staggs said.
“Jesse’s going well in rehab,he’s cruising,and if Jesse comes back and is fit and ready,then I don’t know what the team’s going to look like.
“It’s either Jess or Deine,time will tell ... who’s going to be next to me.”
Key points from Broncos’ training (January 31)